Wristband Could Improve Hygiene In Health Institutions

According to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly two million cases of hospital-acquired infections are reported each year. Germs can easily be spread by doctors, nurses and technicians during routine contact or invasive procedures – the most adequate form of prevention is hand washing, however this can be hard to monitor.

Healthcare start-up IntelligentM has designed a new wristband to overcome the problem and monitor when and how well healthcare professionals wash their hands. The bracelet vibrates when the wearer has washed their hands well enough and lets employers monitor their use.  

The bracelet uses radio frequency identification to read tags on sanitizing and washing stations. An accelerometer detects how long someone spends cleaning their hands then sends an alert. One vibration signals adequate washing, while three buzzes indicate more time should be spent at the sink.

The new wristband could improve hospital hygiene dramatically, and gives hospital employers a far better understanding of where improvements need to be made.

IntelligentM's wristband follows the wearer's motions to check whether they're adhering to proper hand hygiene standards. At the end of each shift, hospital administrators and staff can view collected data through a microUSB to monitor employee progress.

IntelligentM is targeting healthcare facilities with the device but is looking to expand to food service, another sector where hand washing can prevent the spread of diseases, according to MIT Technology Review.

Check out a video about IntelligentM here >>>